Monday, January 31
I was glad when they said unto me, "We will go into the house of the Lord."
—Psalm 122:1
A good debate can be had by discussing whether God is more present in a church building or on the streets of a city. Most, if not all denominations teach that God is present everywhere.
Some denominations, however, have traditions of architecture, icons and symbols that aid in the sense of God's presence. Others emphasize a plain and clear environment in which to worship God, thereby stressing the omnipresence of God no matter what the setting.
No matter what the denomination, however, worship is an action that can lift our hearts and bring us to our spiritual home. It can take place in any worship setting, at church or in our living room. It can be in the worship place of a friend or in a church we stop at along the road during a vacation or business trip. But wherever it is, it can make us whole.
Anthropologists and sociologists tell us that worship is one of our basic needs. When archaeologists have gone deep into ancient jungle ruins and unearthed clues to daily life of early humans, in every case some kind of totem as an object of reverence has been found.
We have a need to worship someone or something. What and who and perhaps where we worship determine to some extent what we will be like; they are important choices that should reflect who we are, and what we want from worship.
One thing is sure: we can be glad when we go into the house of the Lord, because when we go to a holy place and worship a God who loves us more than we can know, we are home. And feeling that we are "home" fulfills the deepest need of each and every one.
Lord, bring me home, surround me with the arms of your mercy—bring me to know you more and more deeply. Amen.
These Signposts originally appeared on explorefaith in 2007.
